Summary
My Hero Academia stands apart from the typical superhero story by showcasing relatable struggle and realism. Deku's journey emphasizes the importance of character over superpowers, which resonates with audiences. The series combines realistic, emotional issues with exhilarating action, creating a unique superhero story.
My Hero Academia is a great example of Realism in superhero stories. The superhero genre is incredibly popular and has always been a genre I’ve loved since high school. I still have fond memories of seeing Marvel and DC movies on opening night with my friends. One aspect of superhero stories that has always fascinated me is how they combine fantastical and grandiose heroes and villains with real-world themes and experiences.
Many superhero stories focus on characters who are born with incredible, far from ordinary powers. These stories are still entertaining and engaging, but they often follow similar formats, following characters who are born with powers.
Although they occasionally encounter setbacks, for the most part they are powerful beyond human comprehension and the story revolves around their successes and heroic deeds. Since they have had their powers since birth, they don't have to put much effort into learning how to use them. My Hero Academia doesn't follow this format, tell a completely different superhero story.
My Hero Academia is not like the usual superhero stories
The story feels more intimate and human because it integrates realism into the narrative.
My Hero Academia tells the story of Izuku Midoriya, a man born without powers. He inherited powers from another hero, but struggles to learn how to use them. Even after he figures out how to use his Quirk, He still had to face failures again and again. Deku's story follows his tumultuous journey as he fights to become a hero he can be proud of, but he never reaches a point in the story where he suddenly becomes perfect. His journey is a constant battle against challenges and tough villains. This empathy is what makes My Hero Academia stood out to me among hundreds of other superhero stories..
Deku actually inherited a Quirk from All Might, finally gaining the power he so desperately wanted all his life. However, he didn't completely change when One For All was in his hands, and this is what makes his character so inspiring to me. Deep down, Deku has always been a kind and hard-working person, with or without his superpowers. He would still be just as heroic without One For All because this special talent is not where he gets his heroic qualities. They come from his personality and who he is, making him more relatable and less superhuman.
The film focuses on universal human experiences based on the real world.
The honest and straightforward portrayal of Deku's struggles helped me connect with him.
Deku is the most realistic superhero I have ever seenand the struggles he faces really humanize him. In other pop culture superhero stories, heroes really struggle, but I've never seen the challenges of the characters highlighted as openly and honestly as in My Hero Academia. Even after receiving his Quirk, Deku is physically injured and sent to the nurse's office, bullied by other characters like Bakugo, threatened by villains like Shigaraki and the League of Villains, and faces many other struggles. I gained a better understanding of who Deku is and his character traits by watching him struggle with these issues.
However, Deku isn't the only hero worth empathizing with. Everyone in the series, even All Might, the strongest hero and Symbol of Peace, shows moments of genuine struggle. This makes it easy for me to connect with the characters on a personal level, as well as grounding the story somewhat in the real world, despite its supernatural elements. Other characters are deeply traumatized, face relationship difficulties, and feel insecure, among other issues. My Hero Academia is truly unique and refreshing because, although it is a fantasy and supernatural story, at its core, It also stems from common human experience.
My Hero Academia has a similar formula to Marvel's original series
By adding aspects of real life to a fantasy world, viewers can connect with the story.
From Ida seeing her younger brother, Ingenium, partially paralyzed by the Hero Killer, Stain, to All Might facing the end of his hero career due to his body gradually weakening, My Hero Academia never shies away from includes the most unpleasant parts of life in its story. As a viewer, the action and suspenseful fight scenes can be exciting, but for me, the bulk of the story takes place in other moments, when we get to witness the characters' most vulnerable and emotional experiences, often reflecting common real-world issues.
My Hero Academia, more than any other superhero story I’ve seen, does a great job of combining slice-of-life elements with more fantastical and tense action sequences. Some recent superhero stories seem to be one fight scene after another, relying too much on physical confrontations. However, Marvel Comics’ original formula for success was to focus heavily on realism, giving their characters human struggles that audiences could relate to: “superheroes with superhuman problems” (a quote that appeared on the back covers of Marvel paperbacks from the 1960s). My Hero Academia returns to this origin with the kind of story I always aim for: Fantasy enough to entertain, but real enough to connect.
Characters are more important than superpowers in My Hero Academia
Being a hard-working, courageous person is considered to be really important, which makes the series inspiring to me.
Features of the series some emotional scenesincluding Bakugo finally apologizing to Deku for his past atrocities, Ochaco motivating her classmates with inspiring and passionate speeches, and All Might training Deku while giving him wise guidance to help him become a true hero. These often tear-jerking moments were sometimes more impactful to me and still more memorable than the most daring and thrilling fight scenes. I think these events resonated so much with me and other fans because they pulled back the curtain and proved that the Heroes are people just like uswith similar feelings.
Even though they are superheroes, I could see myself in the characters because the series focuses on seamlessly blending realism with supernatural elements. The main character, Deku, is an inspiring testament to the fact that anything can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. His inherent human traits impact his hero journey even more than his Quirk itself, and I have brought his important lessons into my own life thanks to the series. In My Hero AcademiaQuirks are a useful tool, but The strength of a person's character is even more important.making this the most unique and beautiful superhero story.
